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Blog Posts

Support your local grocer
Want to know a secret? Your local, independent grocer loves you. Truly. They love your hometown, your traditions, your Friday-night ballgames, and...
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Take advantage of living in a small pond
For young adults or their parents, small towns may not seem like the most exciting places to live compared to the big city. However, they offer...
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Boost your brand: Marketing for small-business owners
Running a small business is no easy feat. With a never-ending to-do list, promotional planning often takes a backseat. Unfortunately, this lack of...
Clean water costs money –⁠ Here's how communities calculate water rates
Over a decade ago, I was sitting in a city council meeting in Illinois and on the agenda was a water rate increase. Over-pumping deep groundwater...
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News Releases

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Small Businesses can gain valuable lessons at OSHA Basics 101 workshop
PEKIN, Ill. – Small business owners take on a lot of different roles and responsibilities. It can become overwhelming at times to manage it all. The safety and well-being of their employees is an essential aspect of any business owner. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration...
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Big topics for small business class offered
Being a small business owner can be challenging these days, with numerous decisions to be made. It can get overwhelming and time-consuming. The class, “Money Smart for Small Business,” is designed to help lighten the load of entrepreneurs in areas of great importance. University of...
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Videos

Transitioning Energy Economies: Rural Clean Energy (2023)

Co-hosts: University of Illinois Extension, Prairie Rivers Network, Just Transition Fund, USDA Rural Development

This webinar series will explore state and federal opportunities related to the energy transition, including clean energy programs, transportation electrification, and other...

Staff

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Sarah Low

Professor - Rural Economic Development
Susan Odum

Susan Odum

Community and Economic Development Specialist
Amanda Cole

Amanda Cole

Strategy, Planning and Implementation Assistant Director
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